POWNAL — A local man was arrested Friday after several motorists reported he was harassing other drivers and passing dangerously on Route 7.

Vermont State Police arrested John Russell, 34, on a charge of negligent operation. Witnesses told police his Toyota 4Runner was tailgating another vehicle, swerving and passing cars in unsafe locations.

One witness told police the operator of the 4Runner appeared distraught.

Police say they found Russell in his vehicle, which had pulled off the southbound side of the Route 7 around 3:30 p.m.

He was screened by medical personnel at the scene and cited to appear in Bennington criminal court next month.